Electrical apparatus



July 26, 1949. RQSEN 2,477,008

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Filed Aug. 1, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mil L. ROSENELECTRICAL APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 1, 1945 4 i W W 450'Pas L /v Paten ted July 26, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICALAPPARATUS Leo Rosen, United States Army, Arlington County, Va.

Application August 1, 1945, Serial No. 608,342

9 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me ofany royalty thereon.

This invention is in electron tubes and particularly is a novel cathoderay tube with a plurality of plate structures.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an electron tubewhich will effectively measure the amplitude of a fluctuating signal atselected intervals, and provide an output for a particular platecircuit, the choice of the plate depending upon the amplitude of theinput at the instant of measurement.

Another object is to provide an electron tube in which the choice of anoutput circuit will depend in the first instance only on the value ofthe input signal, a change in input voltage subsequent to such timehaving no effect on the output of the tube.

An additional object of this invention is to pro- Vide a tube whereintwo or. more independent voltages may be combined vectorially and theirsum treated as mentioned in the preceding objects.

Other objects will be apparent from a reading of the followingspecification and claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the tube of my invention;

Figure 2 is a similar diagram of a modified form of the tube in whichtwo varying voltages may be combined;

Figure 3 represents in diagram an input signal for the tube of Figure 1and the corresponding output signal thereof; and

Figure 4 shows a representative two-signal input for the tube of Figure2 and the output corresponding thereto.

In the showing of Figure 1, ii] is a cathode which serves as the sourceof electrons for the tube, the electrons being susceptible of beingformed into a beam l l by means of electrode 12, of being deflected incustomary fashion by plates l3, l4, and I5, and of being turned on oroff by the target end of the tube so that all can be swept by theelectron-beam moving in one plane.

Two amplifiers 24 and 25 are provided. The

electrode elements 26, 27, and 28 and the other electrode elements insimilar relationships to their principal electrodes are adapted to feedinto amplifier 25, whereas electrodes 38, 3|, and 32 and otherssimilarly juxtaposed to their central electrodes are adapted to feedinto amplifier 24. The outputs of the amplifiers in turn are applied todeflecting plates l4 and I5. Normally, the outputs of the two amplifiersare balanced and have no effect on an electron beam in the tube.

Now assume a fluctuating voltage to be applied to deflecting element l3,and the beam to be turned on through the application of the propervoltage to grid l6. As the beam goes on, it will be deflected in somefashion and will strike a target electrode, for example, 2|, and asignal will appear on output lead 21'. Any subsequent change in thevoltage, acting through the deflecting structure 13 will tend to causethe beam to strike one of the adjacent electrodes 2'! or 3!. Should itstrike electrode 21, a signal will be furnished to amplifier 25,resulting in the energization of deflecting structure I4 such as toproduce a deflection in the electron beam approximately equal andopposite to the deflection caused by the fluctuation in the value of theinput of the tube. On the other hand, should the beam move in theopposite direction in response to a variation in input voltage, andstrike electrode 3 I, a signal will be provided through amplifier 24 todeflecting structure IS. the eifect being again to move the beam backtotarget'electrode 2|. The beam will thus remain on a target electrodeuntil it is turned off through grid Hi.

If the beam is cut off and turned on once again, it will strike a targetelectrode of the group 26, 2|, 22, etc., the selection being based uponthe value of the voltage on deflecting structure is when the tube isenergized. The sequence of operations is shown graphically in Figure 3.The pulses indicated at 35" are applied to the grid 16 of the tube anddetermine the commencements and durations oi. the output signals.Normally, the pulses will be equal in duration and regularly spaced; butthe use to which the device is to be put will determine thecharacteristics of the timin pulses.

Obviously, other means for deflecting the cathode ray beam may beemployed; the principles of operation remain the same. Further, theinput signal or signals may be applied to deflecting plates l4 and I5,and structure [3 eliminated.

It will be apparent. also that the beam It may be shaped as desired justas thebe'ar'n in'a conventional cathode ray tube, the shaping normallydepending upon the nature of the receiving or target electrode; andthat, in place of the timing pulses on grid iii, any means forneutralizing or balancing the outputs of amplifiers 24 and 25 can beutilizedmtp permit movement of the electron beam from to 'anothler, as,for example, by grounding the on puts.

Two voltages may be effectively combined by the tube of Figure 2. Themodified tube has two inputs 35 and 36, with deflecting structures Alland ll, respectively, in place of the single input and deflecting meansl3 of Figure l. hl orr ally, only three target electrodes will be usedin this embodiment of the invention; and th'ree are shown, 42, 43, and44. A single output line 45 serves targets 42 and 43, and another outputline is provided for plate member Q4?" I This tube is indendegparticularly to combine two signals, each having but two possiblevalues.

Thustiwel s llsacldit on .of wo Teletyne-11 5c s t addition is. commonlyee rmed aota' d ne ,Q he'soscalled V m rule whichnrotidestha when wo mrkin i nals or two pecies petal are added; a pacin signalr-is transmittewhereasrwhen two unlike i nals are adds a I I, king si nal istransmitted: he {.t .1.1 trate'ci-in Fi re 4 wherei Amara R are o-ofi-signai an a other. suchp sigrral The, arithmetical sum of twomarking signals is shown at C, of a marking i nal end seating-signal: ta d o two spacing-signals; a t-ii, The-output of the tube oiFigunimat-he-seenat-F andG; i be n u derstood thatwhen a niarking'sig'nal anda spacing' signal-are; applied simultaneously "to the inputs. 3.5;al"troni-beam-is not deflected through deflecting structures 4.0 and 4!),where two marking signals are; applied simultaneously, thebe'am isdeflected merger-'42 (for example) and, when two spacing signals are.applied, to target 43. The QdnditionsFof thr-r input signals at. the;beginning; on a} time intervalcontrol the output for-,the' durationofthefinterval.

It should; bflundgistood that the tube now being d scrihedis not limitein its action to the treatment oflTeletypeoriothertwo-value signals. Twoirre ularlyrfluctuatingvoltages may be applied to.thetwoadefleetiiigplatestructures so am 4i.

n nyfeleetren beamwhich may 115 tubewillamount to the lectorial''sjumofi thextwoeapplid Signals. The

pulsestli. cit-Figured in effect sample the two signals under studyatintervala which may be regulanortimed i'n; snares: manner desired.

*Unden celitain ebnditions, it may be desirable 11.013 to-xllelypaltoether upon the current of the cathode raybea'in; suehsarca's'e, theelectrodes of he eroupslzlhzl 311G522} Figure 1, and 42', as, and 45;,Figure}, =a'r rendered secondarily emissive. Electrodesfiflrfig'ure Mami 5'|"(Figure 2) are utilized as; ollectorizih armanner well known nlh art; ""B IG WGfithEsBHI BED-tS in the several outputlleads willbepthnsopposite in all cases 9 th t-311$: described, butthegbperatioh ofthe tube'.willabecsubstantiallyiasapreviousl indicated. Through the useof additionalvdefie'cting plates and;receivingeeiectrodes, theitubesshown herein may; be; suited; {omittin -dimensional operation. The,output; electrode at sai particular instant is fixed; by i coordinates."defined byj-h'o'rizontal and vertical-i deflectingt vdltages'l' The:tubeenvelopesjshdwniin.thedrawings are pproximatelyc'conventionanbut theenvelopes may take other forms. The output of the tube can be increased,and certain other advantages obtained, by making the envelopecircular-like a flattened barrelwith the cathode in the center. Thetargets and auxiliary electrodes assumes ring shapes, as do theigctpsing means, deflecting plates, and grid, and the. beam becomes adisk.

The foregoing description is in specific terms, and many modificationswill readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention is not,therefore, to be construed to be limited by the description and drawingsexcept as required by h a ended claim I claim:

i. In a device of the nature described, means for generating an electronbeam, a plurality of means responsivetolectrical signals for deflectingsaid beam, a-plurality of target electrodes, a plurality of pairs ofadditional electrodes each of said pairs having one of said' firstrnentionedtarget electrodesspaeed therebetweon and partially overlappedin relation to said: beam by the'electrodes or" its pair of additionalelectrodes each electrode of a said pair being adapted"under impingementby said beam to furnish an electrical signal to deflect saidbeamtoward'its interspaced target electrode.

2. In a device of the naturedesoribed, means i or generatingan electronbeam, switching means for turning on andofisaidbeam at predeterminedintervals, a plurality of meansff or deflecting said beam withinapredeterminedplane, a target electrode for said beam and an auiiijliaryelectrode adjacent each side of said tar telectrode and ihiasaid.planeasiaia ld nl mam by said b amtofuruish also; a1: gna t ad:- l n mens. o de t etsaidi towa dsaid target electrode.

In a ic o henature described. means for n at n an a t ia si v pluralityo a s for d flell ll Sdidh aiflr i p l e, a target el ctr de al autiiunder im n ement by said beam to provide a signal tojsaid fine, h r ar ele trqcles es laeeptsaidfirst mentioned a -set e ottqde and taxete etrodes being adapted under iinpingementby said toward the adjacenttarget elect he inve tion discla m 8; wherein-" er a ai ther tareetielet ed, l ralie fifli and on both sides of saidjl mentionedtargetelectrode.

5 The method oipsampling at fiuctuablea signal which includes creating afield-responsive; solely to said signal, formingan electnonzbeamathe-direction of" said bean-"r. depending upon: said field at theinstant'ofsampling andtthe'reby.v indicating a valueof-xsaidifiuctuableisignal; and preventing suhstantiakchange:in saiddirection Icy creating additional 'fl'elds'about 'said beam to opposeprogression. and; regression=fthereoff 6. The method o-fsamplingfayfiuetuablesignal which includes creating a field-responsivesolely to said signal; forming an on ofielectronfl beam the direction ofsaid beam atthe--- beginning :of an on intervaldepending upon saidflelcP at tiie instant of sa puegaiie the indieatinga .value of saidfiuctuable signal and preventing substantial change m ss-i ugeeti iibyjcr atin additional fields about said "beam-tooppose progression andregression thereof during an on interval.

7. The method of sampling a two-level signal which includes creating afield responsive solely to said signal, directing an intermittentelectron beam through said field, said field acting initially only inthe on intervals of said beam to deflect the same substantiallypredetermined directions and distances thereby to indicate successivevalues of said signal at the beginnings of said on intervals, creatingimmediately subsequent to said initial action additional fields aboutsaid beam responsive to progressive and regressive movements thereof tooppose such movements and generating output signals in response to saidbeam.

8. The method of combining two fluctuable signals which includescreating a field responsive to one fluctuable signal, creating anotherfield responsive to the other fluctuable signal, directing an on-ofielectron beam through said fields, intermittently creating fieldssubstantially opposite in sense to changes in said first mentionedfields during on intervals of said beam, and generating output signalsin response to said beam.

9. In a device of the nature described, means beam in response thereto,and means for rendering said amplifying means ineffective.

LEO ROSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,036,350 Montani Apr. 7, 19362,124,973 Fearing July 26, 1938 2,224,677 Hanscom Dec. 10, 19402,395,299 skellett Feb. 19, 1946 2,404,106 Snyder, Jr July 16, 19462,417,450 Sears Mar. 18, 1947

